September is national suicide awareness month, a time for everyone to really do their best to check up on the people around them. While it’s never a thought anyone likes to have, many people all over the world struggle with their mental health on a daily basis, of course, leading to things like suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Thankfully there are plenty of resources to refer somebody to if that is the case and more on the way. Even as recent as July the national suicide hotline was changed to 988 for ease of access and memory. This number along with others can be accessed through the WHS counselors home page. There are also specific places to go for these issues for younger kids and  teens at http://www.thetrevorproject.org

Though, for those individuals struggling, it might not be such a clear cut and easy decision, sometimes admitting when one is unwell they feel weak, or like they weren’t strong enough to handle it. It’s important to express to those people that they aren’t weak, and asking for help doesn’t make them weak. Many people don’t automatically or even remotely show signs of suicidal or harmful thoughts or actions. This is why when talking to somebody close, somebody important, stress that they matter, that they are cared for, stress that they should stick around. Because they are here for a reason, even if they don’t know what it is yet. They need to know that it’s sticking around to find that reason.

It’s incredible that society is making so many strides for better and more attentive mental health care, and it’s even better that individuals are trying harder for those around them as well.

Now it’s time to make sure that it keeps getting better, to hopefully expunge this epidemic from the world. Stay safe.